Intended to keep with rapidly-advancing mounted forces, horse artillery batteries have a touch of "cavalry dash" about them.

Horse artillery units are distinguished from other types of artillery forces because everyone rides into battle; drivers ride the horses, while gun crews are often given seats on the gun limbers. The cannon assigned to horse artillery units usually fire relatively small calibre rounds although, as always, the weight of the shot is used to designate different horse artillery types. The weight of fire is considered to be less important than the speed with which it can be moved to a firing position, deployed, and then removed to a new site. This is what gives horse artillery its appeal to generals: the ability to rapidly give fire almost from anywhere on the battlefield. Horse artillery can be used as a flexible reserve, or to exploit a weakness in an enemy line.

Historically, in many countries horse artillery developed a cavalry-like air of being an elite force. This attitude is entirely understandable. Dragging heavy artillery pieces across country at the gallop is an inherently dangerous thing to do, even without people shooting at you!

Possessing far better firepower, reloading skill, accuracy and morale than 6-lber Horse Artillery, 18-lbers are easily the best horse artillery in the game, and are an excellent upgrade that are conversely hindered by their cost, regiment limit, and training time.